Police officers desperately tried to talk down a depressed mum who had climbed over clifftop railings in Ramsgate.

But 48-year-old Julie Tritton ignored their offers of help, saying "I can't do this" before letting go and falling 70ft to her death.

The tragedy was investigated at an inquest today, which concluded she had taken her own life after suffering with anxiety and depression.

It happened on May 20 after Mrs Tritton caught a train from her home in Birchington to Ramsgate and went to the town's Victoria Parade.

In a statement read at the hearing, Ginny Potter said she was walking her dog towards King George V park when she saw a woman standing "the wrong side" of the cliff railings.

"I asked 'are you all right?' but she just looked blank," she said.

Ms Potter called police and officers soon arrived and tried to engage with Mrs Tritton, asking if there was anything they could do to get her to come back over.

But Mrs Tritton only replied "I can't do this" before climbing down to a lower ledge and then falling to the concrete below.

Officers and paramedics performed CPR on Mrs Tritton but she could not be revived and a post-mortem confirmed she died from multiple injuries.

A subsequent police investigation did not reveal any suspicious circumstances.

Mrs Tritton's husband, civil engineer Stuart Tritton, of Mellanby Close, Birchington, said his wife had been a lively, bubbly person but began suffering from anxiety and depression while working as a secretary for Viridor.

He said she had felt overwhelmed after taking on unexpected extra work which had forced her to leave the job in February.

Mrs Tritton took an overdose earlier in May which caused her to be admitted to the QEQM hospital but she insisted she had not intended to take her own life and had just hoped it would help her anxiety.

She had planned to start a new job when she felt better but became disillusioned with her treatment after being passed from doctor to doctor at her surgery, he husband added.

Mr Tritton told the hearing it was "ridiculous" they were having to try and arrange counselling for her themselves and felt she was being "palmed off" with anti-depressants.

But he said on the day of her death he had been given no cause for concern when he left for work and only became worried when he could not contact his wife on his return.

He reported her missing and police later gave the family the devastating news.

Concluding her death was a suicide, Mr Dillion said it was clear Mrs Tritton suffered with anxiety and was distressed about the changes in her GP care plan.

He said he was satisfied she had intended to take her own life by her deliberate actions of climbing over the railings.

If you are struggling and need to speak to someone contact the Samaritans here or call 116 123.

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